[ENDED] Yet Another Giveaway @ The Velvet Rose Petal!

Anne over at The Velvet Rose Petal blog is having a giveaway for the Wet 'n' Wild 2011 LE Holiday Palettes plus a lip gloss. Enter here for your chance to win!

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY, TOO!

New Dawn Eyes Cosmetics Chrome Collection: Duochrome Metallics!!!!!

I swear to the dear Lord above that I almost wet my pants when I saw the preliminary swatches of the new collection from Dawn Eyes Cosmetics: Chrome Collection. They are DUOCHROME METALLICS (yes, I'm yelling, LOL)! I cannot wait to swatch, photo, and try these and then report back to you :-) They will be available next week, but here are some photos to tide you over until then.

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY, TOO!

1. Blue to gold to green; 2. pink to lavender to blue; 3.  green to pink to lavender; 4. coral to lavender to bright green; and 5. lavender to pale orange to blue

6. Light blue with traces of lavender; 7. medium blue undertone, purple mid-tone, pink/gold overtone; 8. bright pink overtone, deep fuchsia undertone; 9. bright copper with a rose overtone and a green/gold undertone; and 10. fawn undertone with brilliant blue/teal overtone

11. Fawn undertone with brilliant green overtone; 12. medium blue undertone with golden overtone; 13. light blue to lavender to bright pink; 14. light bright pink/lavender to copper/orange to coral

<Hyperventilates> Be still my rapidly beating heart!

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY, TOO!

Linnaeus Cosmetics Update

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY, TOO!

From Marin Blythe at Linnaeus Cosmetics: "I just posted a little update about LC and an upcoming sale! Click on this link for deets: http://linnaeuscosmetics.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-was-that-i-think-i-saw-it-move.html."

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY, TOO!

[ENDED] The Grand-Opening Giveway is LIVE!

OK, my grand-opening giveaway is now LIVE! You can see the prizes under the "BFF GIVEAWAY!" tab on the far right, but I've provided some photos below to whet your cosmetic appetite :-)

First, for your perusing pleasure, there are two (transferred; partial) magazine subscriptions -- SPIN and Martha Stewart Living:

SPIN magazine

Martha Stewart magazine

Next, for yumminess in and after your shower or bath, there are two full-size Sugarcandie Beauty Bar items: Bella Body Creme and Midnight Monster Mash Body Scrub:

SCBB Midnight Monster Mash and Bella closed

SCBB Midnight Monster Mash and Bella open

Last, fun for your face: lots of miscellaneous eyeshadow samples from various indie cosmetic companies plus a mega-load of large Aromaleigh samples:

Miscellaneous indie eyeshadow samples

Mega-load of large Aromaleigh samples

And here is your Rafflecopter by which to claim you official entry. Even if you pre-entered, it/they won't count unless you do this official entry. All people who pre-entered my giveaway by following me and leaving a comment on my blog have earned one and two extra entries, respectively :-) Because the prize is large, I'm allowing the giveaway to last for 3 weeks.
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Please note that I purchased all of these products except for the magazine subscriptions, which were Facebook "freebies."

Aromaleigh v.2: First Collection is Up!

The first collection from Aromaleigh v. 2 is up, and it's called "Fall Tapestry." You can see it here (and order full sizes or a full sample set):

http://www.aromaleigh.com/nefataliedey.html

Have fun! Personally, I hope they offer single samples soon. Hopefully she is sending sample sets to bloggers for review :-)

Huggies Naturally Refreshing Green Tea and Cucumber Baby Wipes

BTW, don't forget to pre-enter my giveaway!

Item: Huggies Naturally Refreshing Green Tea and Cucumber Baby Wipes

Web site: http://www.huggies.com/en-US/products/wipes/naturallyrefreshing

What? Baby wipes on a beauty blog? Yep. I first read about them being used as facial wipes (i.e., to remove makeup) on Makeup Alley. I read several positive reviews on using Huggies wipes in this manner, and I was looking for some good (but not too expensive) wipes anyway, so I decided to give them a try. 

Before this, I had been using Korres Pomegranate Cleansing and Make Up Removing (gotta love the lack of punctuation there) Wipes for Oily and Combination Skin (neither of which I have, but I got them with a Groupon certificate to a cosmetic site; $12 for 25 = $.48/wipe). Although they burned my sensitive skin just slightly, I liked the way they smelled as well as their convenience. That's how I got hooked on wipes and went searching for a cheaper alternative to the Korres wipes; hence, the Huggies Wipes. 

The wipes that started it all

 I got 184 Huggies wipes (!) for about $7.99 ($7.99 for 184 wipes = $.04/wipe) at the Giant Food Store where I grocery shop, but I imagine that you could buy them just about anywhere. They didn't have them in the cute pop-up dispenser like other versions, but the green tea wipes were specifically recommended on MUA for make-up removal purposes, so I just got the refill pack. 

The better (and cheaper) wipes!

Well, I'll tell ya: They work great for removing regular (not waterproof [WP]) makeup! I wear WP makeup only once in a while, so if you're a WP gal, you'll need something stronger. But these also work well for wiping away cleansing oil used to remove eye makeup without having to wash your face all over again :-) They have a nice, light fresh scent and leave my face feeling as smooth as a baby's buttockular area :-) In fact, I figured they'd have to be safe and gently beforehand because they are made for baby arses. They are also great for, er, personal cleansing.

If you're interested, here is some safety information about them from the Huggies Web site:

Product use: Skin/personal cleansing [Ha! See?]

Product description: Clear, colorless liquid with a pleasant odor on a white polypropylene/cellulose wipe.
Emergency overview: May cause mild eye irritation.
EU Classification (1999/45/EC): Not classified as a dangerous substance or
preparation.
US OSHA Classification (29CFR1910.1200): Not hazardous
Canadian WHMIS Classification: Not a controlled product.

Guess they're safe enough for a . . . baby :-) So, clean up, gals (and stay that way!)
____________________
Please note that I purchased this product for my own use.

BTW, don't forget to pre-enter my giveaway!

(My) Darling Girl Fall Picks + Halloween Preview Colors + SALVation Review!

 BTW, don't forget to pre-enter my giveaway!

Susan Woodall, the owner of Darling Girl Cosmetics, is the epitome of a “darling girl” (from Webster's: "very pleasing: charming"), so I’m assuming that the store name is eponymous :-) She’s a kind and classy lady who has a good business head, a kind and generous heart, and a creative imagination. I am glad to have gotten to know her through purchasing and through The RAT Pack Facebook page. So, without further ado, I give you . . . 

Company name: Darling Girl Cosmetics

Web site: http://darlinggirlcosmetics.ecrater.com/

The Web Site Itself: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve never dealt with an eCrater store before or since my shopping experiences with Darling Girl (DG), so I don’t know how similar or different they may be from store to store. One is always limited by the design constrictions of whatever store “engine” one uses. The landing page has the adorable DG geisha logo on it as well as some product photos. I had almost no trouble navigating the site to place my order(s), but I must say that it is a rather skin-and-bones, bare-basics Web site. It gets the job done, but seems somewhat dry in doing so . . . until you start looking at all the loverly (a bow to My Fair Lady) product photos and swatches contained within. The products can be found in outline format under the tab “Categories,” and the list of products is impressively comprehensive! Susan is one prolific woman :-) Because I mainly crave, collect, and use eyeshadows, I buy them the most. You can look DG shadows up by collection or by color. However, the complete range of products ranges from eyeshadows to the well-regarded Hologloss lip glosses to body salves. Her Glitter Glue eyeshadow fixative is highly spoken of, although I haven’t tried it myself . . . yet. Theoretically, you could get just about everything you need for beauty and skin care at this one e-store!

Pricing: 5 of 5 stars

Pricing is uber-reasonable, plus you have three, rather than just two, sizes to choose from: sample (1/8-teaspoon in a 2" x 2" zip-lock baggie for $.70), mini (1/4 teaspoon in a 3-gram sample jar for $2.25), or full size (3/4 teaspoon in a 5 gram sample jar for $5.50). The only thing I thought was a little "off" is the pricing/size difference between the sample and the mini sizes. The mini is exactly twice the size of a sample, yet it costs quite a bit more than twice the price. Maybe it's because the minis come in a jar rather than a baggie? Whatever the reason, if you prefer your loose shadow in jars, it's worth it because these shadows are so good. If you prefer your shadow in baggies (like I do), you can save a little money by getting two sample sizes and combining them in one baggie.

TAT and Shipping: 5 of 5 stars

Most of the samples I'm reviewing here were purchased by me more than a year ago (I know; shame on me for taking so long to review them) or were received more than a month ago as payment in kind for some writing work I did for Susan. However, I *did* reorder some of the colors I swatched below, so I do have a "representative" TAT to report.

Ordered: 08/27/11 (Saturday night during a sale)

Shipped: 09/08/11

TAT:9 business days (but I've had faster TATs from DG during non-sale periods)

Shipping: Don't remember exactly, but it was reasonable (i.e., between $2 and $3)

Actual shipping: Not designated on eBay shipping label
Sale refund posted : 08/27/11

Personal shipping email: No

DC/Tracking:Yes

Invoice:Yes, through PayPal payment confirmation

Packaging/presentation: Samples were each in a 2" x 2.5" baggie, which was then enclosed in cute 6" x 4" zebra-print bag

Extras: Yes: DG geisha sticker, 2 Halloween preview colors (Witch & Famous, Pretty Plasma),  free mini w/ $10 purchase (Peacemaker])

Packaging: Standard bubble mailer

Product: 5 of 5 stars

Colors ordered (formulator's description after colon, then my take in italics and my favorites bolded)


Photo key (left to right, top to bottom): Landry, Resolute, Santa Baby, Tragic Romance

Indoor with flash

Natural light, no flash

• Landry: Grapey brown metallic with pink shimmers This appears a bit lighter and brighter in real life; it's a great fall neutral  NOT A REPURCHASE :-(

• Resolute: Coppered brown with interesting metallic sheen I'm not sure how I feel about this shade; I didn't get metallic from it at all, but that's relative isn't it? The tone on me was a warm camel satin. NOT A REPURCHASE :-(

• Santa Baby: Copper with pink undertones and if you look closely there is delicate blue shimmers Finally! A warm red I can pull off; it's not too cool-toned and not too orange. I REORDERED :-) 

• Tragic Romance: Warm purple with loads of gold interference Something about this shade leaned too "grapey" for me even with the gold interference; it made me looked bruised, but it may work for gals with different skin tones than mine. NOT A REPURCHASE :-(

Photo key (left to right, top to bottom): Chaos, Chi Chai Monchan, Dr. Pepper Cake, Faren Hite, Fireside, LaLa

Indoor with flash

Natural light, no flash

• Chaos: Coppery brown pearl with purple undertones and subtle blue shimmers This shade made me look like I had been punched in the eyes; there's something about brown and blue that make my eyes look bruised (even MAC's Blue-Brown and Aromaleigh's

• Chi Chai Monchan: Metallic pink copper with gold flecks Hot damn; this color is a Barry White love song poured into an eyeshadow, smooth, silky, satin pink bedsheets and all! I REORDERED :-) 

• Dr. Pepper Cake: Metallic plummy brown with red and multicolored shimmers This color makes me feel good just having it in my arsenal even if I never wear it (which, of course, I will). It's the kind of color you can just swatch and get lost in, it's that beautiful and complex. Great fall shade. I REORDERED :-) 

• Faren Hite: Warm bronzey pink with subtle sparks of red Another great fall color for me. I'm a whore for anything pink and warm-toned, especially if bronze is mixed in, LOL. This shade is what I *wanted* MAC's Pink Bronze pigment to be, but this DG color is less "sharp" and gaudy and more well-blended. I DIDN'T REORDER BECAUSE I LIKED SANTA BABY AND CHI CHAI MONCHAN BETTER :-) 
• Fireside: Earthy maroon with shimmering glints of metallic sparkles Again, too grapey for my liking but nevertheless a beautiful shade. NOT A REPURCHASE :-(

• LaLa: Sheer cool blue-ish purple with pink iridescence Although I can't usually pull off anything blue-toned, this gorgeous shade worked on me. The blue and purple were so nicely balanced with the pink iridescence, I liked despite my usual prejudice against such colors!  PROBABLY NOT A REPURCHASE :-(

Photo key (left to right, top to bottom): Jeweled Taupe, Peacemaker, Pretty Plasma, Witch & Famous

Flash

Natural Light

 • Jeweled Taupe: Metallic bronzey taupe with multi-colored shimmers like jewels Despite the fact that this shade is not, IMHO, a taupe at all (taupe is a mix of grey and brown), it *is* a shimmery straw/hay shade that looks very nice on my eyes. Think of a sparkly hayloft at twilight, all a'glint in the setting sun, and you'll get the picture POSSIBLE REPURCHASE :-)
• Peacemaker (color of the week): NO DG description due to it's limited nature This color looked purple on my monitor, but it swatched as a lovely almost-navy blue. Not my color, but a unique one; you don't see too many navys out there. CAN'T REPURCHASE :-|

• Pretty Plasma (extra): Aqua blue pearl with contrasting black glitter. Not my color, but gorgeous nonetheless! NOT A REPURCHASE :-(

• Witch and Famous (extra): Plummy taupe with gold reflect DEFINITE REPURCHASE!
Skin Care Product Received

• SALVation: Susan sent me an adorable little tin of this balm, and I've been using it on my cuticles (almost) every night before bed. If I had had my wits about me, I would have taken some before-and-after photos. Take my word that it has worked well for me for this purpose. No longer dry and overgrown, my cuticles are smooth and tame :-) The only thing I would change is to offer it in a swivel-up tube as well as the tin because the tin's lid is hard to remove, especially if you have hand arthritis, deformed wrists, and a bumb thumb on the left hand! DEFINITE REPURCHASE :-)

Salvation

FINAL SCORE: 5 OF 5 STARS

Would I buy again?

Can't you tell yet after reading this glowing review, LOL?
____________________
Please note that I purchased all of these products for my own use.

BTW, don't forget to pre-enter my giveaway!

Aromaleigh is Making a Comeback!

This post from Miss K.'s blog is so exciting, it deserves to be copied and pasted AND linked, so here is it:

A new Aromaleigh, under new management, that is…

This is a time of change and transition, which you’ll see happen gradually as so much is happening behind the scenes in order for Aromaleigh V.2 to grow and blossom…

During this transitional phase, you’ll find many products available from Aromaleigh’s former collections, as well as great deals on ingredients such as the cosmetic glitters and Pure Hue mica pigments. You can also expect to see a few Limited Edition eyeshadow collections rolled out as we work towards developing, testing and releasing a line of fresh, innovative and new Aromaleigh products with the same quality and value you’ve come to expect in the last 13 years.

To conceive this new product line, we’ll be setting up a series of polls because your input and feedback is very important to all of us working together in this new venture. These polls will help the new team understand what you desire out of the new Aromaleigh.

Aromaleigh’s founder, Kristen Leigh Bell, will be acting as the Creative Director, and Director of Product Formulation for the new Aromaleigh. With all the amazing, improved pigments and ingredients that are available now, the opportunity to work for Aromaleigh in this capacity is very exciting!

We’ve been working hard to get the transitional site up and running, but here’s what you can expect in the coming months:

1. A series of polls and feedback forms for you to offer your input, feedback, wants and needs

2. Availability of current collections and other possible previous inventory.

3. Some new LE collections to carry us through while your input is analyzed and the new product lines are introduced.

4. Good, positive changes spanning many aspects of business at Aromaleigh.

We’re very excited for what the future holds for Aromaleigh V.2… and hope that you are as well!

Here's the original link: http://dormantdream.com/2011/10/02/big-changes-new-directions-aromaleigh-v-2-new-management-and-more/

WHOO TO THE HOO!

Because I'm Far Too Lazy to Do It . . . A Halloween Post From The Velvet Rose Petal!

Since I'm not a huge fan of Halloween and because I'm far to lazy to compose a list of special and limited-edition Halloween collections, I'm pointing you to Anne of The Velvet Rose Petal, who had composed a comprehensive list, including Altered Ego, Black Rose, Brazen, Dark Heart, Darling Girl, Dawn Eyes, Evil Shades, Lucky 107, Meow, Moi Minerals, My Beauty Addiction, My Pretty Zombie, Noella Beauty Works, Persephone, Rock-A-Betty, Stella Starish, Sweetpea & Fay, Tick:Tock, Venomous, Virus Insanity.

 Anne's link is here:  http://thevelvetrosepetal.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-limited-edition-offerings.html. 

 My head is swimming! How about yours? Have fun, ghouls (ummm . . . I mean girls)! 

 AND DON'T FORGET TO PRE-ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!

Aromaleigh Pure Hues Now Available

From Miss K. just moments ago: "Due to the large inventory of raw ingredients and micas/pigments that we’ve got waiting for new homes, I’ve decided to begin offering the Pure Hues as they were made available during last year’s clearance sale. Many beautiful shades are available! This is the complete swatch chart from last year’s clearance sale, but not ALL the shades on this chart are available. Shades NOT available are the ones that have an “X” over the top of them.": http://dormantdream.com/2011/09/25/many-pure-hue-mica-pigments-now-available/.

Aroamleigh Updates Continue . . .

From Miss K.: "And also, LOST IN FAERIE... a few jars 1, 2, 3 available of some shades": http://dormantdream.com/aromaleigh/limited-edition-eyeshadows/lost-in-faerie-eye-collection/.

What are you waiting for?

Some More Aromaleigh Updates

 DON'T FORGET TO EARN PRE-ENTRIES FOR MY GIVEAWAY BEFORE IT STARTS!

From Miss K.'s Facebook feed on my home page:

1. "Spells! inventory has been updated with a few jars of sold out shades from my personal "stash bag"... enough for a few jars for you, and one for me!":  http://dormantdream.com/aromaleigh/limited-edition-eyeshadows/spells-eye-collection/.

2. "Wonderstruck inventory updated- some sold out shades there are now a few jars available of!": http://dormantdream.com/aromaleigh/limited-edition-eyeshadows/wonderstruck-eye-collection/.

3. A few sold-out colors have a few jars left now in Astronomical Collection- Dark Matter, Milky Way!":  http://dormantdream.com/aromaleigh/limited-edition-eyeshadows/astronomical-eye-collection/.

She didn't specify which colors she added, but you can look at the drop-down lists to check if there's something you've been looking for :-)

DON'T FORGET TO EARN PRE-ENTRIES FOR MY GIVEAWAY BEFORE IT STARTS!

Aromaleigh Update: A Teesny Speck of a Post

Per Miss K.'s Dormant Dream Facebook page: "Found 9 jars of Melancholy Maiden, 1 Milky Way, and 1 Wingardium Leviosa . . . just added to inventory!" Here's a chance to get these OOS shades.

I'm sorry it's taking so long to get this blog going. I've just been overwhelmed with health issues and physical pain, and now more work is coming in so I'm trying to keep up with that. However, I'm about one third done with my opening post (Darling Girl review). Then I just have to take photos of the contest prizes and the contest will go live. First the Darling Girl post and then the contest :-) Hang in there with me, 'K?

Aromaleigh Eyeshadows and Supplies Are Back!

This is just a quick post to let you know that Miss K. from the now-defunct Aromaleigh is offering for sale a limited array of eyeshadows from the following collections:

MYTHOS

WONDERSTRUCK

SPELLS

ASTRONOMICAL

Here is the link to her new business, Dormant Dream, with all the information you need. Cosmetic formulators, Miss K. is also selling micas, pigments, and supplies here.

Now, everyone go get these goodies before they run out!

And don't forget to pre-enter my upcoming giveaway!

August 20, 2011: Tag! Your'e It!

I was tagged for the Top 10 Award by Susan Woodall of the yummy Darling Girl Cosmetics! Considering that I haven't formally launched this new blog yet, this was a very sweet gesture by a very sweet woman :-) Here's my award:

Susan wanted to know what my top 10 favorite cosmetics items are, so here are my answers :-)

1. Everyday Minerals Pick Me Up Pink Color Correcter: I just tried to find this product on EDM's Web site, but appears that it's been discontinued :-( I found it far better than a green color corrector for diminishing the ruddiness on my cheeks. Luckily I have an extra full-size jar stashed away. If anyone know of any other brands of good pink color correctors, would you please let me know?

2. Everyday Minerals All Spice eyeshadow (soft neutral pink champagne laced with delicate white shimmer): OK, this product is still being sold; whew! Although the description says "pink," to me it looks more like a lightly-browned biscuit with a little shimmer -- the perfect neutral brow-bone highlighter.

3. Just about ANY eyeshadow by Aromaleigh: I hated mineral shadows at first, but I became a MMU convert, and Aromaleigh aficionado, several years ago. Don't ask me to name a favorite because I can't. And don't get me started on what I'm going to do when I run out of my three AL foundation back-ups :-(

4. Visine (regular formula): Yep. I never apply my makeup without first getting redness out of my eyes. I don't go whole-hog with it because that can cause rebound redness. Just a drop in each eye after I show and before I do my "face."

5. Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy: I never apply a shimmery shadow without first revving it up with this primer, which amps up the shimmer/glitter/sparkle factor. I hear DG's own Glitter Glue is very good, too, so that will be on my shopping list soon (especially if Fyrinnae keeps pulling their disappearing acts).

6. Not cosmetics, but just about ANY Shower Smoothie from Sugarcandie Beauty Bar: Aside from having the absolute yummiest scents ever, as well as really excellent customer service, I really like that this whipped shower soap doesn't contain sodium laureth/lauryl sufate, which is harsh on human skin and even worse for little fishies, frogs, salamanders, and so forth. I go SLS-free whenever I can.

7. MAC 239 eyeshadow brush: Desert-island Holy Grail item. Before I found this, I was applying eyeshadow with my fingers. Messy for me and unsanitary for the shadows.

8. Tweezerman metal lash comb: Yes, it looks like a miniature instrument of torture, but it tames clumpy mascara into submission. Just use it very carefully, or you'll look like a lopsided cyclops, LOL.

9. Sephora Eye Makeup Remover Pen: Catches any glob or blob I somehow manage to leave behind (usually mascara, but I've used it to eradicate other things, too).

10. Cover Girl NatureLuxe Foundation in Alabaster: Because it's a great match for my fair and cool-toned complexion; it really does feel like light silk on my face; and it gives nice medium but buildable coverage.

....and here are the next 10 tagged. :D

Makeup Zombie

The Velvet Rose Petal

The Girl With the Shapely Wheels
Dawn Eyes Cosmetics Blog
My Tongue Split the Hemisphere
Funny Face's Place
Stumbling Through Life
Utopista
(Not) Making It Up
Midnight Poesy

**Rules of the Top 10 Award**
1.  Thank the person who tagged you and link to their blog.
2.  Put the Top 10 Award logo on your blog.
3.  List your Top 10 cosmetics.
4.  Choose 10 bloggers to tag, link to their blogs, and let them know.

Earn Pre-Entries Before My Giveway Starts!

First, I'd like to say "thanks" to the 38 followers (most of them from the RAT Pack Facebook page) who have taken a chance on following my new blog, some of them before I had actually published anything yet! I'm now offering the rest of you a chance to pre-enter, too.  

Here's what you have to do to earn two pre-entries before the contest starts. When the giveaway begins, the opportunity to earn pre-entries will disappear.

1. Follow my blog.

2. Leave one comment on one of my posts. Sorry, multiple comments, although enjoyable, won't earn you extra entries! (If you comment, please tell me in the comment what name you are following me under so I can match you up for your two entries).

Here's how to prepare for the actual entry (I'll announce the contest when it starts):

1. Think of three BFFS, two of whom do not already follow my blog. That's all I'm going to tell you right now :-)

For a look at the prizes so far, just look under the "Contest!" tab above.

My Guest Review of Tick:Tock Cosmetics on Glitters and Bubbles

This guest beauty-blogger review was first posted on the Glitters and Bubbles blog on Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Company name: Tick:Tock Cosmetics

Web site: http://ticktockcosmetics.storenvy.com/

The Web Site Itself: 5 of 5 Stars

I had high hopes for this small indie company just based on the Web site, which is gorgeous. Things I liked include:

• Great font for the company name and tag line

• Fun tag line (“For Colors That Are Rockin’ Around the Clock”)

• Great storefront layout

• Excellent (huge) product shots

• Color names tie in with the overall theme

• Ingredients listed on each separate product page

• Great clickable (enlargeable) labeled “collage” product photo for each shadow.

Example
of collage photo (reprinted with permission of Tick:Tock Cosmetics)

Things I didn’t like or that confused me:

• No mention of whether or not colors are vegan-friendly (although they do state approved for eye and/or lip use)

• At the top of each individual product page are the links “eye shadow pigment” “handmade,” “Makeup,” “make up,” and “cosmetics.” These clickable links take you to a Storenvy page that list many items from different shops, with her shadows scattered among them. IMHO, she’s giving free advertising to the other companies listed on those pages! Plus it’s just confusing.

Pricing: 5 of 5 Stars

Fair and actually better than average in terms of full-size jars: $5.50 for a 5-g jar (“packed” into 5-g sifter-capped jars) and only $.70 for samples in the dreaded longer baggies (2” x 3”) (sample size not stated, but it looked like an 1/8-teaspoon to me). No minimum order is stated. No free samples were included in my package, just a bottle-cap necklace (see below). Maybe this “extra would appeal to a 14-year-old girl, but not to me. I would have preferred an extra sample, which would also have been a better marketing tool. She must be marketing to a younger set =)

Bottle-cap necklace

TAT and Shipping: 4 of 5 Stars

Ordered: 06/11/11

Shipped: 06/14/11

TAT: 3 days (good)

Shipping: $2.00

Actual shipping: $2.51 (plus the cost of DC, so she actually lost money on mailing)

Personal shipping email: Yes

DC/tracking: Yes

Invoice: No

Packaging/presentation: Small padded mailing envelope; sample baggies enclosed in slightly larger baggie

Sample packaging: The dreaded longer baggies (2” x 3”; they make it hard to get shadow on just the brush and not the ferrule, too)

Extras: Yes (bottle-cap necklace)

Product: 3 of 5 Stars

At present, Tick:Tock has only a small number of shadows and shadows only: 14 to be exact. However, they do show a preview of a new collection called “Tea Time,” which includes 6 new colors. They also state that an eyeshadow base is coming soon (see notice of their upcoming sale below). The product photographs are huge and beautiful; extremely nice presentation. The collage photos on each product page show how the shadows look with different applications; again, a very useful tool for choosing colors! All of the colors are fairly simple and contain shimmer or sparkles in approximately the same color family. I would like to them mix it up a bit with unexpected color pairings.

Colors Ordered (my take in italics)

Hourglass (far left in photos; also shown close-up): Orange with gold shimmer and orange glitter (TT description) This description was accurate. Hourglass is a pretty but fairly one-dimensional shadow despite the addition of shimmer and glitter. It’s close to a Creamsicle shade. A little bit of pink duochrome would have made it more wearable for me. UNFORTUNATELY NOT A REBUY =(

Tick:Tock under flash conditions

Hourglass close-up

High Noon (second from left in photo): Light brown with a hint of shimmer (TT description) I liked this shade and was hoping it would be a dupe for Aromaleigh’s discontinued Infernal Chaos (third from left in photos). It came pretty close but was actually darker and more pigmented. It doesn’t have much shimmer, and I see it being quite a good staple bare neutral for school, work, or church/synagogue. POSSIBLE REBUY =)

Tick:Tock under natural lighting

Alarm Clock (far right in photos; also shown close-up): Light pink with red shimmer and pink glitter (TT description) There wasn’t anything special enough about this color to make me want more of it. It looks like a lot of the other pink shades I have. However, if you’re looking for a pink, or if pinks scare you (LOL), this one is pretty neutral-toned: not too cool and not too warm. Again, it was pretty but fairly one-dimensional. UNFORTUNATELY NOT A REBUY =(

Alarm Clock close-up

Would I Buy Again?

Yes, I would like to give this shop a second chance with some of the deeper colors: Salvador Dali (very cool “time/clock” reference, I’m assuming, to Dali’s melting timepieces), Times Square, and Grandfather Clock are colors I’d like to try. And I’ll probably get some more High Noon. Luckily they are having a big sale, with the release of the new primer and new eyeshadow colors, this weekend, August 13 and 14. This time, however, I’ll pass on the bottle-cap necklace :-)

OVERALL RATING: 4.25 OF 5 STARS!
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Please note that I purchased all of these products for my own use.

I hope you enjoyed my review, and I’m looking forward to your comments! Look for

more reviews to come on my new beauty blog, http://fleurs-de-lisa.blogspot.com/.

My Guest Blogger Review of La Coquette Cosmetics on Xtreme Makeup Addict

This guest beauty-blogger review was first posted on the Xtreme Makeup Addict blog on Tuesday, July 26, 2011:

Company name: LA COQUETTE COSMETICS (WITH 20% READER DISCOUNT)!

Web site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaCoquetteCosmetics

The Web Site Itself: 4 of 5 stars        

La Coquette Cosmetics has a sweet little etsy shop. They are also on Artfire and have an independent Web site, but this review is on the etsy shop only. The owner sells loose mineral eyeshadows, pressed mineral eyeshadows (rare for a MMU company!), nail polish (also rare!), and an adorable Antoinette-themed palette (magnetized four-pan). The eyeshadow colors are contained on three swatch charts for a total of 32 shades, which each have both a number and a name. Because the shop is so small, the site is easy to navigate; this might change if they continue to offer a wider range of products. They do say on the site that lip balms and lip gloss will be added in the “next few weeks” (although this message is not dated).

White Antoinette-themed palette

The owner states clearly on the shop banner that products are made to order unless otherwise noted and are made by hand and not rebranded. They will also do custom orders. On the page for the loose eyeshadows, the ingredients are clearly listed by color number. The owner should put this on the page for the pressed eyeshadows, too :) There is also a link to the color charts on the loose-eyeshadow page, which should also be placed on the pressed eyeshadow page. Eyeshadow and nail-polish colors that are not vegan-friendly are listed at www.lacoquettecosmetics.com. I think these carmine-containing shades should be on the etsy site so you don’t have to go to another site to find them! The nail polishes do not contain toluene, formaldehyde, or dibutyl phthalate. The pressed-shadow page says that you’ll receive a 10%-off coupon for your next purchase, but this is not stated on any of the other pages I looked at. Three of the newest colors (Lamia, Persephone, and Titiana) are on the ingredient listing but not on the color chart, but I have photos and descriptions of them below.

Pricing: 5 of 5 stars (updated 08/09/11)

Excellent prices, probably the lowest I’ve seen for handcrafted MMU, plus there is a discount code for readers (LISAROCKS20) for 20% off, which is good for 3 months from this posting:-)

• Samples: As of this writing, there is no sample listing on etsy, although it is stated on the company Web site that “samples are $0.25 each and the cost includes shipping. Samples are .30 of loose powder packaged in 2x2 sample bag.” If you don't see a sample listing when you shop, just convo the owner.
• One jar of loose eyeshadow (1.5 g of product) with a sifter cap (although you must request the sifter [no extra charge]): $3.50/4 jars for $11.50
• Pressed pan (26 mm): $2.50
• Two “baby” bottles (5 mL) of nail polish (w/ free bottle of top coat): 2 bottles for $5/4 bottles for $10
• White Antoinette-Themed Palette w/ 4 pressed eyeshadows: $17 (this is shown in pink, too, but I couldn’t find a listing for it, so just convo the owner if you'd like one).

TAT, Shipping, and Packaging: 4.5 of 5 stars (updated 08/09/11)

Ordered: 06/19/11

Shipped: 06/19/11

TAT: Less than 1 day! (excellent!)

Shipping: $1.75

Actual shipping: $.64 (this discrepancy in shipping is explained on most of the product pages)

Confirmation email: Yes

Personal shipping email: No

DC/Tracking: No

Invoice: No, but an extensive ingredient list was included with my order

Packaging/presentation: Eyeshadow samples (numbered, not named) in individual baggies, which were then wrapped in tissue paper (not re-bagged together in another larger baggie) (this will change in the near future)

Extras: Yes (because I told her I had started guest blogging; I don’t know if she usually includes them)

Packaging: Business-size envelope

Product: 5 of 5 stars

Colors Ordered/Received

All colors were smooth and pigmented over Urban Decay Primer Potion and (in some cases) Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy. I rarely had to build the colors up, they were that pigmented. I would describe most of the colors, with some exceptions as noted, to be a satin finish. The shadows are listed in appearance on my hand (first four)/arm (remaining seven) from left to right, top to bottom. My favorite colors are bolded below.

Natural lighting: colors 5 through11

Natural lighting: colors 1 through 4

1. Titiana [NEW]: glittery silver packed with sparkles (accurate description)
2. Silk Stockings: shimmery taupe (more peachy-pink than taupe but pretty   nonetheless)
3. Strawberries and Champagne: pale pink w/ gold undertones (accurate description and my third favorite of the bunch)
4. Lamia [NEW]: spring pink w/ hints of silver sparkle (more raspberry pink and one of the prettiest shades in the bunch)
5. Nefertiti: smoky olive gold (accurate description)
6. Boudoir: shimmery champagne (accurate description)
7. Chocolate au Lait: rich milk chocolate w/ gold undertones (lighter than milk chocolate but still quite pretty)
8. Lillith: autumn-leaf brown w/ chocolate shimmer (pretty accurate description, although I saw some green in it)
9. Persephone [NEW]: deep brown w/ pomegranate shift (i.e., duochrome) and hints of green and gold (accurate description)
10. Port Royale: vibrant jewel-toned purple (accurate description and another favorite in the bunch)
11. Absinthe: vibrant apple green w/ gold undertones (accurate description) 

Indoor lighting: colors 5 through 11

Indoor lighting: colors 1 through 4

Customer Service/Communication: 5 of 5 stars

I was really impressed with the owner’s responsible and thorough communication about my purchase! Just a few hours after I ordered, she emailed me to clarify something I had written in the PayPal.

Summary

Pros

• Handcrafted, not rebranded cosmetics

• Will do custom orders

• Excellent TAT

• Low prices plus reader discount (see Pricing section above)

• Accurate color descriptions

• Smooth, pigmented shades

• Excellent communication and customer service!

Cons

• Some inconsistencies between product pages on Web site

• Sample baggies labeled with number, no color name

• Sample baggies not enclosed in a larger baggie and kept falling out of envelope during storage 


Overall Rating: 4.875 of 5 stars!

I highly recommend trying La Coquette Cosmetics, especially with the reader discount being offered (20%; see Pricing section above)

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Please note that some samples were purchased by me, and others were provided by the company owner for review purposes.

3 comments:

Rakhshanda said...

Such pretty shades!!!!

July 26, 2011 6:25 AM

Aggie602 said...

I like the packaging, that really caught my eye. http://aggierxqueen.blogspot.com/

July 26, 2011 9:00 AM

galgotspirit said...

Yes, they are very pretty colors, especially in the lower flash photos, which actually show them truer to life. Very pigmented, too :-)